Shot dead as she approached police, Aussie killed in US

THE shocking final moments of how an Australian woman was shot dead by police in the US have been revealed.

Justine Damond, from Sydney, was killed by police in south Minneapolis on Saturday night.

According to the Star Tribune, three sources said Ms Damond was in her pyjamas when a police car responding to a 911 call pulled into the alley behind her family home in the city's Fulton neighbourhood.

Ms Damond, 40, approached the driver's side door in her pyjamas and spoke to the driver.

The officer in the passenger seat then shot Damond through the driver's side door, according to the publication.

No weapon was recovered at the scene.

Police did not have their body cameras turned on during the shooting.

The horrific development comes as family and friends of Ms Damond are demanding answers from authorities.

Minneapolis mayor Betsy Hodges said the incident has made her "heartsick".

Ms Damond, previously known as Justine Ruszczyk, died following an officer-involved shooting, according to Minneapolis police.

The shooting occurred on the 5100 block of Washburn Avenue South in the city's Fulton neighbourhood.

The incident is the subject of an investigation but authorities have said the officers who responded to the 911 call did not have their body cameras turned on.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it's providing consular support to her family.

HOW THE SHOOTING UNFOLDED

Two officers responded to a 911 call about a possible assault in the alley off West 51st Street between Washburn and Xerxes Avenues around 11.30pm, according to a statement released Sunday by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

"At one point one officer fired their weapon, fatally striking a woman," the BCA said.

"Investigators are attempting to determine whether any video of the incident exists."

Minneapolis police say a program of issuing body cameras to all of its deployed officers was recently completed. The two officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave.

"I'M DONE WITH ALL THIS VIOLENCE"

The dead woman's partner was Don Damond, vice president and manager of Little Six Casino in Minnesota.

His son Zach Damond said Ms Damond "heard a noise in the alley and called the police".

"She was out on 51st Street and she was shot," Zach said.

Mr Damond said the woman was "passionate" and his "best friend".

"Basically my mum was shot for reasons I don't know," Mr Damond said in a video posted on Facebook on Monday morning (AEST).

"I just know she heard a sound in the alley so then she called the police and the cops showed up and she was a very passionate woman.

"She probably thought something bad was happening and then next thing I know they take my best friend's life.

"I demand answers.

"If anybody can help, just call police and demand answers. I'm so done with all this violence. It's so much bulls**t. America sucks."

Minneapolis mayor Betsy Hodges said she intended to find out why the officers' body cameras were not turned on.

"As mayor of our city, a wife, and a grandmother, I am heartsick and deeply disturbed by what occurred last night," she posted on Facebook.